Westworld Season 3 Review: The Delores Show

HBO's "Westworld" just wrapped up season 3. There are eight episodes this time (instead of the usual 10). In season 1 the hosts gain self awareness and eventually rebel against their human creators. In season 2 Delores amasses an army which battles to escape (only to have lots of hosts "killed" and sent to the Bliss/ Robot Heaven. In season 3 Delores is unleashed into "our world".

I've tried to cover the main plot points of season 3 in a series of questions. Hopefully this hits all the biggies.

What Is The Real World Like?
Delores finds it's run by a AI called Rehoboam. It is under the control of Egerraund Serac (played by Vincent Cassell). We later learn his backstory. Only he and his brother survived a nuclear explosion that killed everyone in Paris. With Rehoboam they are able to predict the fate of every person on the planet (including how they die). Humans no longer make choices for themselves. They are just as controlled as the hosts. Serac says this is to save mankind from itself.

What Are The Overarching Themes Of The Show?
The overarching them of the series is "What Makes Us Human". We've often seen the hosts act in a more human (and humane) manner than the people. In season 3 the show focused on free will. How much do we have in the "real world"? Who is freer-- the hosts or the humans? Is freedom the end goal? Is freedom just an illusion? Is a chaos filled life better than an orderly one with no choices?

Who Is Charlotte Hale?
One of the biggest questions this season is "Who Is Charlotte Hale". We knew she wasnt Charlotte. But her true identity was revealed some time. Remember Charlotte smuggled FIVE pearls/brain balls out of the park last season. Some thought she was Teddy, Wyatt, Clementine, Bernard, etc. A few on Reddit thought it was her horse. Too funny! Charlotte turns out to be... wait for it... Delores. Charlotte took from Delos one pearl that contained Bernard and the rest were copies of her. Her motto must be "If you want something done, do it yourself". These copies were planted in various hosts around the world--Charlotte, Connells and Musashi. But who is the fifth? It's interesting to note that for Charlotte/Delores, the more she lives Charlotte's life, the more she becomes a separate person. She grows to care about Charlotte's family. She also starts to resent Delores. She feels set up for a suicide mission at Delos. But more on Charlotte a little later.

What Is Delores' Master Plan?
The series goes out of its way to convince us that Delores' plan was to take over the "real world". Caleb (played by Aaron Paul) is supposed to play some part in it but we're not sure of the specifics. We FINALLY learn her intention is to try to save humanity. OK, why all the misdirection then?

In the end Delores with an assist from Caleb and Maeve, wipes out the AI and badly injures Serac. We're not sure if he is dead. Humans are now free to do whatever they want. Rehobaum calculates this action will destroy civilization. I guess we'll see.

Delores pays the ultimate price. All of her memories are erased when Serac searched for the key to the Bliss in her head. It's pretty clear this version of Delores wont be coming back. When she says to Maeve "I chose beauty" (even after all the horrible things that have happened to her) is a poignant moment. Evan Rachel Woods was EXCELLENT this season. Is she really gone though? But arent there some more balls floating around with her memories?

Why Caleb?
We thought Caleb had randomly met and helped a badly injured Delores. But nope. Delores was playing a long game. It seems the military used Delos as a training ground. Caleb, like all the other guests, was secretly copied and stored in the Forge. Delores knew Caleb would make the right decision (when she couldnt) about the future of mankind.

What's Next?
Where are we at the end of season 3? Caleb chooses to turn off Rehoboam/Solomon. The world will now have to make their own decisions. In the final scene, Caleb and Maeve look towards a burning LA. There will be a lot of destruction before civilization can be rebuilt. Will Caleb be the new human leader?  We're not sure what's next for Maeve. Serac had promised her a reunion with her daughter. She says it will still happen. Just not today.

In the post credit scenes, we check in with the rest of the main characters. William finally decides his mission in life is to rid the world of all the hosts. He finds a Delos facility in Dubai. His plans are thwarted when he's killed by The Man In Black (a host) and Charlotte. She has gone full villain and is building another army of hosts.

Next we see Bernard. He actually had the key to the Bliss/ Robot Heaven all along. He puts on the halo device. Much time passes because he's covered in a layer of dirt. Previously he said humanity was always going to destroy itself. The AI and Serac just postponed it. How much time has passed? And is Stubbs still in the bathtub?

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). Sadly, I found season 3 to be a bit lacking. Even though the stakes are high, the plot doesnt seem as compelling. There are lots of unneededly complicated story lines. "Westwold" raises lots of philosophical questions such as "What does it mean to be human?" and "Does anyone have free will?"-- but they largely go unanswered. All the main characters (Delores, Charlotte, Maeve, Bernard, William) have largely separate story lines. I like them best when they interact (either working together or trying to kill each another). Don't get me wrong. There are some MAJOR positives about season 3. The biggest is Evan Rachel Wood. Her portrayal of damsel-in-distress-turned-world-destroyer Delores is the highlight of the series. I would follow her army anywhere. The show is also visually stunning. The sci fi elements this season are top notch. The fight scenes and car chases are excellent. I just wish there was a more cohesive story to match. "Westworld" has been renewed for a season 4. Where can they go from here given the final state of the characters? And can they attract an audience that's interested enough to tune back in? Time will tell.